Finland · Europe
How many people die in Finland every day?
In Finland, about 156 people die every day, roughly one death every 9 minutes. That is about 57,000 deaths a year, less than 0.1% of everyone who dies worldwide and the 100th highest total of 194 countries. Life expectancy is 81.8 years and the leading cause of death is cardiovascular disease. See every death on earth as it happens on the live death counter.
Deaths per day
156
Deaths per year
57,000
Life expectancy
81.8 years
Population
5,545,475
Death rate
10.3 per 1,000
Top cause of death
Cardiovascular disease
Compared to the World Average
Life expectancy
Finland
81.8
World avg
72.8
+9.0 yrs
Death rate (per 1,000)
Finland
10.3
World avg
7.7
Deaths in Finland by time period
| Per hour | 6.5 |
| Per day | 156 |
| Per week | 1,093 |
| Per month | 4,750 |
| Per year | 57,000 |
What people die of in Finland
According to the World Health Organization’s Global Health Estimates, the single biggest cause of death in Finland in 2023 was heart disease (ischaemic), which accounted for 16.5% of all deaths, about 29 a day. It was followed by Alzheimer's and other dementias and hypertensive heart disease.
Deaths from hypertensive heart disease have increased about 13-fold since 2000, from about 405 to 5,236 a year. Deaths from heart disease (ischaemic) have fallen by 23% since 2000, from about 13,623 to 10,542 a year.
WHO counts single causes, so heart disease and stroke appear as separate rows. Grouped together as cardiovascular disease, the category in the summary above, they are the largest killer.
| # | Cause | Deaths (2023) | Per day | Share | Since 2000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Heart disease (ischaemic) | 10,542 | 29 | 16.5% | -23% |
| 2 | Alzheimer's and other dementias | 7,883 | 22 | 12.3% | +153% |
| 3 | Hypertensive heart disease | 5,236 | 14 | 8.2% | +1193% |
| 4 | Stroke | 4,908 | 13 | 7.7% | -4% |
| 5 | COVID-19 | 2,722 | 7.5 | 4.3% | n/a |
| 6 | Lung cancer | 2,356 | 6.5 | 3.7% | +27% |
| 7 | Bowel (colorectal) cancer | 1,811 | 5.0 | 2.8% | +64% |
| 8 | COPD | 1,514 | 4.1 | 2.4% | +25% |
| 9 | Pancreatic cancer | 1,486 | 4.1 | 2.3% | +104% |
| 10 | Falls | 1,423 | 3.9 | 2.2% | +33% |
Deaths in Finland since 2000
WHO estimates that about 64,002 people died in Finland in 2023, 30% more than in 2000. Totals rise as populations grow and age, even when health improves. WHO’s modelled estimates can differ from the headline figures above, which come from a different source.
| 2000 | 49,328 deaths |
| 2010 | 50,922 deaths |
| 2019 | 53,985 deaths |
| 2023 | 64,002 deaths |
Life expectancy in Finland since 1950
A baby born in Finland in 1950 could expect to live about 64.2 years. By 2023 that had risen to 81.9, a gain of 17.7 years. See how this compares worldwide on our life expectancy by country page.
| 1950 | 64.2 years |
| 1980 | 73.6 years |
| 2000 | 77.7 years |
| 2010 | 80 years |
| 2019 | 81.9 years |
| 2023 | 81.9 years |
Finland compared with similar countries in Europe
Among the 36 countries in Europe on this site, Finland ranks 8th for life expectancy. Here is how it compares with the countries closest to it in population.
| Country | Deaths per day | Life expectancy | Top cause |
|---|---|---|---|
| Finland | 156 | 81.8 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Norway | 115 | 83.2 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Slovakia | 153 | 77.2 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Denmark | 153 | 81.3 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Ireland | 90 | 82 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Serbia | 288 | 75.8 | Cardiovascular disease |
Sources: WHO Global Health Estimates 2023 (deaths by cause and totals); UN World Population Prospects via Our World in Data (life expectancy). Figures are modelled estimates and are rounded.
Frequently asked questions
How many people die in Finland every day?
In Finland, about 156 people die every day, or roughly one death every 9 minutes. That adds up to about 57,000 deaths a year, less than 0.1% of all deaths worldwide.
What is the leading cause of death in Finland?
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in Finland. Heart disease and stroke are the biggest killers in most countries, driven largely by high blood pressure, smoking, diet and inactivity. Counting single causes, WHO's estimates put heart disease (ischaemic) first in 2023, with 16.5% of deaths.
What is the life expectancy in Finland?
Life expectancy at birth in Finland is 81.8 years, 9.0 years above the world average of 72.8. That ranks 22nd of 194 countries.
Is the death rate in Finland high?
Finland records about 10.3 deaths per 1,000 people each year, above the world average of 7.7. Crude death rates are higher in countries with older populations, so a high rate does not always mean poor health care.